Debut album ‘Nothing But The Silence’ Released March 23rd via Caroline International

Hotly-tipped Nashville duo Striking Matches are returning to this year’s Country to Country Festival at The O2 on March 7th and 8th, with a very special performance at the sold out C2C After Show Party at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday 7th March followed by a free performance on Sunday 8th March on a C2C Pop Up Stage in Brooklyn Bowl at12.15pm .

Last year’s astounding performance at C2C led Striking Matches to add two debut headline shows at the Borderline, both immediately selling out through word of mouth.

With their debut album set for release this March, and a headline tour in the UK this May, the festival provides the duo the perfect chance to showcase the album’s material and whet the appetites of what US critics have been describing as “a countrified Civil Wars / Black Keys mix”.

That album ‘Nothing But The Silence’ produced by Grammy Award-winning T-Bone Burnett is set for release on March 23rd through Caroline International and features the band’s debut single ‘Missing You Tonight’, which is already lighting up the Radio 2 airwaves.

A beautifully sparse anthem, that occupies the sweet spot at the intersection of country, rock and blues, it takes the listener deep into the heart of Nashville with distinctive guitars, syncopated bass lines, laid back drums and vocal harmonies to die for. Watch the beautiful lyric video, starring the duo – Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis – here.

The album’s songs, including ‘When The Right One Comes Along’ and ‘Hanging On A Lie’ have been featured on More 4’s hit drama series Nashville and recorded by the show’s stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, which has opened the door to a host of new fans both in the US and internationally.

The band recently performed album highlight ‘Trouble Is As Trouble Does’ exclusively for Rolling Stone Magazine, demonstrating the duo’s flare and energy. As Rolling Stone describe: “Guitar-slinging duo performs song in one take, with one mic… harmonizing and fearlessly (and flawlessly) shredding on guitar in front of one bare microphone.”

Nashville, Tennessee – February 23, 2015 – The wait is almost over as C2C returns to The O2, London for the third time on 7 and 8 March 2015. Over 30,000 country music fans will enjoy a weekend full of live performance from the biggest country music stars in the world as well emerging artists from the UK and Europe. Last few tickets remain for both days, so don’t miss out.

For those who want to make a day of it Country to Country will officially kick off at 11am on Saturday March 7 when the Town Square market opens and the first Pop Up stage starts. Fan should also expect surprise artist announcements across the weekend via the C2C social media channels.

Artists for the Satellite Stage in the main Arena

Between artist performances on the main stage there will be two short sets each day on a new Satellite Stage.

Saturday: Acoustic performance from Sam Palladio the British actor and musician who plays Gunnar on the TV series Nashville. He will be also taking part in another first for the Festival as part of the CMA Talks plus the previously announced CMA Songwriters Series at indigo at The O2 on Friday 6 March. The previously announced singer-songwriter Sam Hunt will also perform on Saturday.

Sunday: Two of the up-and-coming British acts who have made such an impact on the UK scene in the last 12 months. Ward Thomas are now confirmed to appear as well as the previously announced The Shires.

CMA Talks

We are delighted to announce a CMA Talk as part of the exclusive daytime events at C2C, arranged by the Country Music Association

Saturday: 1pm Live Q&A with Sam Palladio, at Indigo at The O2

Sam Palladio’s 45 minute on stage interview will cover his life as a TV star of the series Nashville, his career as actor and musician, his plans for the future and how life is for an actor from Cornwall living his dream in Nashville. Although free to attend – spaces are limited and vouchers for entry should be collected from the Indigo at The O2 box office on a two voucher per person basis from 10.30am on Saturday. Vouchers will be distributed on a first come-first served basis.

CMA Screenings in the Cinema

The Country Music Association will programme special film screenings in Cineworld at The O2 on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 1pm. There will be one programme of two films each day. Although free to attend – spaces are limited and vouchers for entry should be collected from the Cineworld at The O2 on a two voucher per person basis from 10.30am each day – vouchers will be distributed on a first come-first served basis.

Saturday: 11am – 1pm

· An exciting new documentary about the 130-year history of Music City USA, “FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC: THE STORY OF NASHVILLE”. Including a live introduction and Q&A with CMA Song Of The Year award winning singer-songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall.

· Also showing will be the new American PBS special “FRONT AND CENTER: CMA SONGWRITER SERIES WITH DIERKS BENTLEY”, a televised music performance celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the CMA Songwriters Series and featuring Dierks and other hit songwriters, Brett James, Jon Randall, Jim Beavers, and Ross Copperman.

Sunday: 11am – 1pm

· The Cinema will show “2014 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL: COUNTRY’S NIGHT TO ROCK”, a TV special featuring performances from CMA’s annual Country Music festival that takes place in downtown Nashville each summer and attracts over 80,000 Country Music fans from across the globe. The special features spectacular performances by Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and many more.

· Also showing is the PBS special “FRONT & CENTER: CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES WITH LADY ANTEBELLUM” featuring the trio in an intimate Songwriters Series setting performing their signature hits plus new music from their fifth studio album, 747. The group shares personal stories from the road, the writing room, and the events that inspired their music. They are joined by songwriters Rodney Clawson, Tom Douglas, Josh Kear, Luke Laird, and Abe Stoklasa for some special collaborations.

Town Square

Over 25 vendors will be in the Town Square with selling everything from vintage items to western wear to music and memorabilia. As usual fans will also be spoilt for choice by a variety of food and drink stalls including Bodeans BBQ, serving slow smoked delights, cocktails by Craft Cocktail Company, Cream and Country selling 100% natural ice cream, Enjoy Life by the Glass will be selling a selection of wines with Meantime Brewing Company serving up local craft beer.

The C2C merch line will also available on site across the weekend alongside the arena artists’ merchandise. Don’t miss out on a C2C t shirt, hoody, cap, key ring or tea towel!

Artist Signings at the CMA Booth in Town Square

Kix Brooks, Brandy Clark, Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander will be among the many pop up artists who will be signing autographs and merchandise across the weekend at the CMA Booth at the Town Square – keep an eye on official C2C social channels for timings over the weekend.

Pop-Up stages update

Michele Stodart – bassist, vocalist and co-songwriter for the band The Magic Numbers, will be performing a solo set of some of her Americana country blues songs. Other additions to the stages include Millers Daughter and Gary Quinn. The full schedule of artists’ stages and stage times is now available on the C2C website.

The Saloon

Another first this year is new venue, The Saloon one of the free Pop Up stages, which can be found in the WM Jazz Club and will feature an intimate space for singer songwriters to perform and talk about their song-writing. Fans are invited to come along, sit back, and enjoy the programme which will include C2C Pop Up artists alongside a Bob Harris curated show by Under The Apple Tree Sessions.

The new official C2C after parties will be hosted by country music DJ and radio/TV presenter; DJ Baylen Leonard, and will feature a surprise guest performing each night.

CMA Songwriters Series – indigo at The O2 – Friday 6 March – Limited tickets still available

C2C presents the Country Music Association (CMA) Songwriters Series, with host Kix Brooks featuring Brandy Clark, Sam Palladio, Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall. The two-hour show presents the songwriters and artists together on stage, taking turns telling the stories behind their songs and performing them acoustically as originally written.

BBC Radio 2 Country DAB service

As previously announced by BBC Radio 2, there is a pop-up digital audio broadcasting (DAB) service which will broadcast from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March (midday to midnight) and will broadcast live C2C coverage from 4pm to 11pm/10.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

London, United Kingdom –February 1, 2015 – With less than two months to go, C2C is thrilled to announce that there will be a whole host of new activity across the country music filled weekend at The O2, London on 7 & 8March 2015, including music on Pop Up stages from 11am and After Show Parties running until late.

Satellite Stage

In the arena, for the very first time, a Satellite Stage will be introduced which will be located behind the sound desks at the opposite end of the arena to the main stage. Four acoustic artists will be performing in-between the main stage acts (two on each day).

The first names to be announced are:

SAM HUNT – one of the hottest new artists to emerge in Nashville last year and whose debut No.1 was ‘Leave The Night On’. The former college football player was previously best known for writing hit singles for Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and others.

THE SHIRES – the British duo who made their C2C debut as relative unknowns have had a great year, which included their debut single Nashville Grey Skies being playlisted on BBC Radio 2. Their debut album will be released in C2C week, on Mon March 2.

Pop-Up stages

Fans will get a rare chance to discover a broad range of artists as they play free intimate shows on pop-up stages around the venue, showcasing their talents and proving that country music has a strong future in the UK. There will be 40 performances for C2C ticket holders each day on various stages including the newly named Big Entrance stage and Music Mile stage.

There will also be special performances on the Pop Up stages by name artists, including The Shires, CMA Award winning songwriters Jon Randall and Jessie Alexander (who are also featured in Friday night’s CMA Songwriters Series at indigo at The O2) and Ward Thomas – who made their C2C debut as a relatively unknown duo in 2014 but have since had a great year with singles playlisted at BBC Radio 2 and their first album, ‘From Where We Stand,’ entering the UK Top 50.

Pop-up artists (in alphabetical order):

Acoustic Journey Katie Armiger

Ann Doka Katie Nicholas

Aubrie Sellers Laura Oakes

Balsamo Deighton Lewis & Leigh

Callaghan Lisa Redford

Carolynne Poole Liv Austen & The Banned

Case Hardin Luke and Mel

Chloë Chadwick Lucy May

Claydon Connor Megan O’Neill

David Bradley Mim Grey

Dexeter Paul Carella

Ellie Dibben Pauper Kings (formerly McKay)

Emma Jade Raintown

Emma Swindells Sam Hunt

Fitzwallace Sasha McVeigh

Flats & Sharps Sonia Leigh

Hannah Jane Lewis Stephanie Manns

Harper J Talia Simone

Holloway Road The Cains Trio

Honey Ryder The Dirty Beggars

InBlauK The James Clode Band

Jeannine Barry The Shires

Jess & The Bandits The Tuesday Syndicate

Jess Roberts Ward Thomas

Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander Winters Hill

C2C After Parties

As previously announced, the official C2C after parties will take place at Brooklyn Bowl at The O2. A surprise guest will perform each night and country music fans are invited to continue the festival spirit into the small hours. Hosted by country music DJ and radio/TV presenter; DJ Baylen Leonard, the doors to Brooklyn Bowl will open once the final main stage artist has waved goodbye to the crowds each night.

Glasgow, UK – February 19, 2013 – Glasgow Duo Raintown, Paul Bain and Claire McArthur, are set to perform with some of the biggest names in Country Music in Belfast and at London’s O2 in the next few weeks.

They have been invited to the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and recently announced that they have also been added to the already stellar line up at the Country2Country music festival at London’s O2 in March, which includes Tim McGraw, Leann Rimes and Darius Rucker.

Claire said; “It is a very exciting time for us and to be on the same festival as names such as Kristen Bush (from Sugarland), Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town, to name but a few, is huge.”

Paul also commented, “We love getting the chance to play live and to be invited to such showcase events is brilliant.’

Raintown have continued to go from strength to strength over the last 12 months. They supported ‘Wet Wet Wet,’ performed in Nashville at CMA Fest for the second year running and won two awards at the Scottish New Music Awards, including ‘Record of the Year.’

They also have a local headline gig at Glasgow’s Oran Mor on Saturday 23rd February, which will feature special guests Leeanne Douglas and Tasha Blackmore. Tickets are available from www.tickets-scotland.com.